Canon photo recovery isn’t as intimidating as it may sound. In most cases, you can get your missing photos and videos back on your own, without taking the camera or its memory card to a specialist. This article walks you through the recovery process step by step and covers the causes of data loss on Canon cameras, along with a few things you can do to prevent it from happening again.
Stop using your Canon camera’s memory card as soon as you notice photos or videos are missing. Think about whether another copy might exist on your computer, in a backup or cloud service, or on the camera’s second memory card. If there’s no extra copy, scan the card with data recovery software before the deleted data gets overwritten. Disk Drill is a great option here, as it can recover Canon RAW photos and other files, while its Advanced Camera Recovery mode is designed to reconstruct fragmented camera videos.
Before you start: Stop taking photos or recording videos as soon as you notice files are missing – anything new you save to the card can overwrite the data you’re trying to recover. Remove the memory card from your Canon camera and connect it directly to your computer with a card reader instead of connecting the camera with a USB cable. Most modern cameras use MTP over USB, which doesn’t give recovery software direct access to the card’s file system. And if Windows or macOS offers to Format or Repair the card after you connect it, hit Cancel for now. Recover your files first.
Is it Possible to Recover Data From a Canon Digital Camera
Yes! In most cases, barring physical damage or data overwriting, you should be able to recover much of your data yourself using DIY methods. And let’s play an open hand: to do so, you’ll need the help of reliable data recovery software. However, not all data recovery software tools are equally effective.
Let’s get right to a real-life example: If I want to recover deleted photos from my Canon EOS R5, I need software that can: (A) scan a specific file system of my memory card (the EOS R5 uses the exFAT file system), (B) support recovery by file signatures if the file system entries for my files are not intact or the file system itself is corrupted. In our case, the software should be able to detect and recover the CR3 file format, and (C) be able to preview RAW photos to help me determine if this is the photo I need to recover. A good recovery tool can preview files if your operating system can open them, either natively or with third-party software. Additionally, like many recent Canon cameras, it also shoots up to 8K video (7,680 x 4,320 pixels), which amounts to 121.5GB per minute in its RAW state. Therefore, I need software that has the same parameters regarding video and is able to recover large video files. The good news is that we found not one, but TWO such software solutions for you!
We have everything you need to get started in the step-by-step guide on how to recover deleted videos from Canon cameras (as well as photos and other files) below.
Canon Photo and Video Recovery with Data Recovery Software
The best way to recover deleted photos and videos from a Canon camera is to detach its memory card and connect it to your computer using a USB-type or built-in card reader. Then, you can recover deleted files from your SD card using a data recovery tool. Most data recovery software can recognize memory cards just fine, so you won’t encounter any problems during the process of restoration.
For this article, we’ll demonstrate how to perform Canon photo and video recovery using Disk Drill. It can recover photos, videos, audio files, and other data from memory cards, and it’s even capable of RAW SD card recovery when the card’s file system is damaged or no longer readable. It also supports Canon RAW photo formats such as CR2 and CR3.
For videos shot on Canon cameras, Disk Drill also offers Advanced Camera Recovery (ACR), which is designed to recover video files that were fragmented across the memory card while recording. This matters because a regular recovery scan may find the individual fragments but fail to put them back together correctly, leaving you with a recovered video that won’t play.
We’ve talked about how crucial it is for software to efficiently recover data by file type (file signature), especially when retrieval from the file system hits a snag. To back up our words with solid facts, we’ve crafted a handy table for you. This table showcases the prowess of Disk Drill in pulling file signature data from Canon cameras. It’s a great tool for comparing their effectiveness side by side. Big thanks to these folks who helped us gather this valuable data!
File Type |
Description |
Disk Drill |
CR2 |
Canon RAW Version 2 File |
5/5 |
CR3 |
Canon RAW Version 3 File |
5/5 |
CRW |
Canon RAW CIFF Image File |
5/5 |
MP4 |
Digital Multimedia Container Format with H.264 Codec |
5/5 |
MP4 |
Digital Multimedia Container Format with HEVC Codec |
5/5 |
So, here’s how you can recover deleted files from your Canon camera’s SD card:
- Plug in your SD card to your computer using a USB-type card reader or your laptop’s built-in card reader.
- Download and install Disk Drill. Then, launch it by double-clicking its icon.
- Select your SD card from the drive selection list, then click Search for lost data. Disk Drill will let you choose between Universal Scan and Advanced Camera Recovery. Universal Scan is the better choice if you want to recover photos and other types of files from the card.
If your main goal is Canon video recovery, choose Advanced Camera Recovery instead. Select your Canon camera model and start the scan. This mode is designed to reconstruct fragmented video files, which may otherwise be found by a regular scan but recovered in an unplayable state. If you already know you only need to recover camera videos, you can also open Advanced Camera Recovery directly from the left sidebar and start from there. - Wait for Disk Drill to complete its can. Then, click “Review found items”.
- You’ll be presented with a list of files that Disk Drill found. You can use the search bar and the file type sidebar on the left-most side to narrow down your search. If we want to recover a RAW Canon photo, we can type “CR2” or “CR3” (Canon RAW extensions) in the search bar and filter results by Pictures only. You can also toggle the Pictures tab to view pre-made groups sorted by file type, as organized by Disk Drill.
- Preview any file (including videos) by hovering your mouse pointer to the right of its file name, then clicking the eye button that appears. Disk Drill can also preview RAW files, as I’ll demonstrate with an old photo I took with my Canon EOS M50:
- Select the files you want to recover from your SD card by ticking the boxes in the checkbox column. Once you’re satisfied with your selection, click “Recover”.
- Select the destination folder for your recovered files – make sure to select a location on your computer, and not on your SD card (otherwise, you may overwrite your potentially recoverable data). Then, click “OK”.
Advanced Camera Recovery can help when a video was fragmented across the memory card, as it attempts to find its individual parts and reconstruct them into a playable file. However, if the recovered video still won’t play, there’s a chance the file was already corrupted during recording rather than damaged as a result of deletion. In this case, open Video Repair from Disk Drill’s left sidebar. This will take you to the online video repair service, where you can upload the damaged file and attempt to fix it. For some repairs, you may also need to provide a healthy sample video recorded with the same Canon camera and similar recording settings.
Not too long ago, we added a spicy twist to our review collection with a deep dive into Disk Drill’s security features. Don’t miss out – make sure to check it out for the full scoop!
Disk Drill for Windows lets you recover up to 100 MB of data for free. On Mac, you can scan your Canon memory card and review the files Disk Drill finds for free, but recovery itself requires an upgrade. If you want to know more about its recovery capabilities and other features, take a look at our full Disk Drill review. And if you’d rather try a few more options first, we’ve also put together a list of the best free photo recovery software worth considering.
How to Recover Deleted Photos and Videos From a Canon Camera: Other Methods
Data recovery software isn’t the only place worth checking. Depending on how you normally transfer and back up files from your Canon camera, another copy may already exist somewhere else – and finding it is always easier than recovering a deleted one from the memory card.
Option 1: Recover Deleted Photos and Videos From Backups
Start with any service or computer you’ve previously used to transfer or back up files from your Canon camera.
If you use image.canon, check your account first. Compatible Canon cameras can automatically upload photos and videos over Wi-Fi. Original files, including RAW images and 4K videos, are stored for 30 days before they’re deleted, while thumbnail versions remain available after that period.
Next, check the computer where you normally import your photos. Look in the folders used by EOS Utility or Image Transfer Utility, as well as any folders you selected manually during previous imports. If the files were imported and later deleted from your computer, check the Recycle Bin or Trash and any backups created with File History on Windows or Time Machine on Mac.
The same applies if your photography workflow includes another photo or cloud service. Check Lightroom, Google Photos, iCloud, or any other service you use to import or sync your camera files. Even if the photos are gone from the memory card, an earlier imported or synced copy may still be there.
Option 2: Check the Second Memory Card for a Backup Copy
If your Canon camera has two memory card slots, check the second card before trying anything more complicated. Some dual-slot Canon models, including the EOS R1, R3, R5, R5 Mark II, and R6 Mark II, can be configured to record the same image to both cards.
Of course, having two cards in the camera doesn’t automatically mean you have a backup. This only helps if you had the camera configured for duplicate recording when the missing photos or videos were taken. If you did, remove the second card and check its contents separately – the copy you’re looking for may still be intact even if the files were deleted or the other card was formatted.
Insights into Canon Camera Data Loss and Recovery
You might also want to figure out what exactly caused the data loss, as well as some other useful information that will help you be more knowledgeable about your camera’s memory.
Common Data Loss Scenarios Related to Canon Cameras
Data loss on Canon cameras happens to a lot of users, and can be caused by a variety of reasons. Here are the most common ones (as well as our recommended solutions you can try AFTER recovering your data):
Problem |
Summary |
Accidental deletion |
You accidentally deleted the files from your Canon memory card or after transferring them to your computer. If they were deleted on your computer, check the Recycle Bin on Windows or Trash on Mac first. If they were deleted directly from the memory card, use data recovery software to restore them. |
File transfer error |
Errors interrupted the data transfer while you were copying your files. If you have deleted the originals from your card, use data recovery software to recover the deleted photos (or videos) from the SD card, and hope the files are not corrupted. Then, back up those files. You can also try scanning the device to which you were copying the data. |
Accidental formatting |
You accidentally formatted the memory card, or did so as a measure to fix it. Use data recovery software to recover formatted SD card on Canon. |
Canon firmware issues |
Your camera or SD card may become compromised due to a faulty update. In such a case, use data recovery software to restore your data, back it up, then attempt to fix it. |
Virus attacks |
Your camera or memory card might have been connected to an infected device. To resolve this, first check if your files are hidden. If they are missing, restore your files using data recovery software. Then, format your memory card. |
Physical damage |
Your camera or SD card is physically broken, heat-damaged, water-logged, etc. You need to send your SD card to a data recovery center to restore your data. |
Missing files, SD card not showing up in File Explorer, SD card is RAW |
Your SD card is likely corrupted. Before proceeding with any other actions, first recover files from the corrupted SD card. Then, try the following methods:
If those don’t work, restore your data using data recovery software, then format the SD card. |
Popular Models of Canon Cameras
The guides we detailed above should be suitable for most modern cameras, including those used by professional photographers and videographers. Below are some of the most popular Canon cameras that will work with this method.
Camera Type |
Popular Canon Models |
Mirrorless |
Canon EOS R1, EOS R3, EOS R5, EOS R5 Mark II, EOS R6 Mark II, EOS R6 Mark III, EOS R7, EOS R8, EOS R10, EOS R50, EOS RP |
DSLR |
Canon EOS 90D, EOS 80D, EOS 5D Mark IV, EOS 6D Mark II, EOS 1D X Mark II, EOS 1D X Mark III, EOS Rebel SL3 (250D) |
Compact |
Canon PowerShot V1, PowerShot G7 X Mark III, PowerShot SX740 HS, PowerShot V10 |
Types of Cards that Canon Cameras Work With
Canon has always been a huge player in the camera market. Thus, they are one of the most compatible brands that can accommodate a wide range of memory cards. Below are the most common types of memory cards that will work with the recovery methods we recommend in the article, including Canon CF card recovery – most useful for professionals. We also listed what devices they are normally used with (including Canon digital cameras, DSLR cameras, and mirrorless cameras).
Type |
Storage Size |
Commonly Used With |
SD (Secure Digital) |
Up to 2 GB |
Older DSLR and compact digital cameras |
SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) |
2 GB – 32 GB |
DSLR, mirrorless, and compact digital cameras |
SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity) |
32 GB – 2 TB |
Modern DSLR, mirrorless, and compact digital cameras |
SDUC (Secure Digital Ultra Capacity) |
2 TB – 128 TB |
Devices with SDUC support; compatibility depends on the camera model |
microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC / microSDUC |
Up to 128 TB, depending on type |
Compact devices and cameras that support microSD directly or through an adapter |
CF (CompactFlash) |
Up to 512 GB |
Older professional DSLR cameras |
CFast 2.0 |
Up to 512 GB |
Selected professional DSLR and cinema cameras |
CFexpress Type B |
128 GB – 4 TB+ |
Modern professional mirrorless cameras, high-end DSLRs, and cinema cameras |
Can I Restore Data From a Camera Directly?
No, you can’t. Years ago, devices used a file transfer protocol called UMS (USB Mass Storage), which gave users and other devices access to the file system. With these older devices, you could freely drag-and-drop files to and from a computer, and third-party software could easily extract and restore data.
Modern devices (including mobile devices, cameras, camcorders, and similar) now use a file transfer protocol called “MTP” (Media Transfer Protocol), which does not give users and other devices access to its file system. Data recovery software will also not be able to access the data in the device’s file system.
Memory cards, however, are flash storage. You can easily access their file system and use data recovery software without any problems. This is why we recommend scanning your memory card directly as the best method of recovering data from your Canon camera. Jump to this section of the article for a step-by-step guide: How to Recover Deleted Photos & Videos From a Canon Camera.
What We Found About Canon Photo Recovery on the Specialized Forums
Here’s what we found from a quick Google search on the subject.
- The forum thread on Canon’s community site about EOS M50 photo recovery offers several key user insights. One critical takeaway is that once photos are deleted and the memory card continues to be used, the chances of recovery significantly diminish. Immediate attempts might have some success, but continuous usage, especially overwriting data, makes it nearly impossible. Users recommend regular backups and even suggest using recovery software for attempts at retrieving lost files, though success rates vary depending on post-deletion card usage. The thread also emphasizes the importance of multiple backups, including offsite storage, to prevent future data loss.
- Another forum thread about retrieving deleted photos on a Canon EOS 1300D further emphasizes the importance of not relying solely on your camera or SD card for storing important images. Users advise backing up photos to a computer, laptop, or cloud storage as soon as possible to avoid loss. The discussion underscores the harsh reality that once an SD card is lost or stolen, and with no backups made, the chances of recovering those photos are virtually nil.
- One more forum thread on Canon’s community site about recovering photos deleted from a memory card offers practical advice, including the use of recovery software like Recuva and Sandisk Rescue Pro. Contributors highlight their effectiveness in recovering photos that haven’t been overwritten by new data. Additionally, there’s mention of PhotoRec, an open-source recovery tool praised for its success where others failed, underscoring the variety of available recovery options with their own advantages.
- The Reddit thread on r/AskPhotography highlights a user’s struggle with recovering 150+ GB of photos from a Canon 70D after accidental deletion. Key community advice includes not writing over the memory card to enable recovery, using a separate hard drive to store recovered files due to space issues, and exploring different recovery software options. Recommendations also stress backing up photos on both a hard drive and cloud service to prevent future loss. The user’s experience underscores the challenges of recovering large volumes of data and the importance of proper backup strategies.
No major surprises here. You’ve already heard from us about these points, including the dangers of overwriting data. And sure, backups are crucial, but let’s be honest, that’s probably not what someone panicking over lost photos or videos wants to hear. We get it, backups are important!
Now, regarding the software mentioned, Recuva and PhotoRec are solid options, especially for budget-minded folks. Just remember, they might not pack the same punch in terms of scanning and recovery algorithms as commercial software. While PhotoRec isn’t half bad for its category and offers decent signature scanning, we won’t delve deeper as we already have dedicated reviews for both Recuva and PhotoRec.
As for SanDisk Rescue Pro, there isn’t much new to say. Despite the name, SanDisk doesn’t actually develop it. LC Technology International, Inc., a company specializing in data recovery software, is the true creator. We suspect the “SanDisk” branding likely stems from a licensing agreement between the two companies. We tested it briefly while working on articles about SanDisk Extreme PRO Recovery and methods for recovering photos from SanDisk memory cards.
Conclusion
Whether you can recover deleted photos and videos from a Canon camera mostly comes down to what happened after they disappeared. The first thing to do is stop using the memory card. Every new photo or video you record can overwrite deleted data and reduce your chances of getting it back.
Before you start scanning the card, check whether another copy already exists. Look through your computer, backups and cloud services, and don’t forget the second memory card if your Canon was configured to record duplicates. Finding an existing copy is always the easiest outcome.
If there’s no backup, data recovery software is your next option – and, in many cases, the only one. As long as the deleted data hasn’t been overwritten, a tool like Disk Drill can scan the memory card for lost photos and other files, while its Advanced Camera Recovery mode can reconstruct fragmented camera videos. The sooner you stop using the card and start recovery, the better your chances of getting your files back.
If you run into problems along the way or aren’t sure what to do in your particular data loss situation, you can also visit the Handy Recovery Advisor Community. Describe what happened, your Canon camera and memory card model, and what you’ve already tried, and the community can help you figure out what to do next.
FAQ
How to recover deleted photos from camera internal memory?
Unfortunately, there is no way to do this currently with newer cameras. If you have an older model, you can go into Connecting Settings and change “USB Connection Mode” to “Disk” (USB Mass Storage). This will then mount your camera’s internal memory as a disk, and you can use data recovery software to scan it on your computer.
What is the best Canon photo recovery software?
To recover photos and videos on your Canon camera and/or memory cards, try the following photo recovery software:
- Disk Drill
- Stellar Photo Recovery
- R-Studio
- TestDisk/PhotoRec
- EaseUS
Is it possible to recover deleted photos from 80D?
Yes! But you have to immediately stop shooting your camera – otherwise, the new data may overwrite all those old photos and videos you want to restore. Then, detach your memory card and scan it with data recovery software.
How to recover deleted photos in a DSLR camera?
The best way to recover deleted photos in a DSLR camera is to detach its memory card, connect the card to a computer, then scan it with data recovery software.
How do I recover deleted videos from my Canon camcorder?
To recover deleted videos from your Canon camcorder, detach your memory card from the device, plug it into your computer, and use data recovery software to scan and restore it.
Is there a recently deleted option on a Canon camera?
Canon cameras generally don’t have a Recently Deleted folder like the one you’ll find on a phone or computer. When you delete a photo or video in the camera, it disappears from the card’s file system, although its data may remain recoverable until new files overwrite it. Stop using the card and try data recovery software if you don’t have another copy.
Can I recover photos after formatting my Canon memory card?
Yes, in many cases. If you formatted the memory card in your Canon camera and haven’t used it much since, the original photo data may still be there. Stop using the card and scan it with data recovery software. Your chances depend largely on the type of format performed and whether new photos or videos have overwritten the old data.
Can I recover deleted Canon photos for free?
Yes, depending on how much data you need to recover and where another copy might exist. Start by checking your computer, cloud storage, backups, or a second memory card if your Canon was set up to save duplicates. If you need data recovery software, Disk Drill for Windows provides up to 100 MB of free recovery. On Mac, you can scan the memory card and preview recoverable files for free, but saving them requires the paid version.
This article was written by Alejandro Santos, a Staff Writer at Handy Recovery Advisor. It was also verified for technical accuracy by Andrey Vasilyev, our editorial advisor.
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